5 Fort Campbell, Ky. soldiers die when aircraft crashes during training mission

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WTVQ) — Five soldiers based in Fort Campbell died during a training mission when their aircraft crashed in the Mediterranean Sea on Friday.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen R. Dwyer, 38, of Tennessee; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane M. Barnes, 34, of California; Staff Sgt. Tanner W. Grone, 26, of New Hampshire; Sgt. Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Arizona; and Sgt. Cade M. Wolfe, 24, of Minnesota, were identified as the five soldiers killed in the crash.

Their MH-60 Blackhawk was conducting aerial refueling training when it experienced an “in-flight emergency” resulting in the crash, according to the Department of Defense. The DOD added there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy/hostile actions.

Lt. Gen. Braga, of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, gave the following statement:

“We mourn the loss of these five incredible soldiers, each of them a national treasure. They hail from rare patriotic families with deep military service ties that span multiple generations and formations.

This is devastating news that reverberates across the entire special operations community. Every loss is tough, but in this case, service to the Nation is truly a family business and it’s hard to express the amount of sorrow that we all feel right now.

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, their loved ones, and their fellow soldiers. Like the special operations community always does, we will wrap our arms around them, grieve with them, and promise to never forget them.”

Gov. Andy Beshear in a post on X asked Kentuckians to join him in praying for their families, friends and fellow servicemembers.

Commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Col Roger P. Waleski, Jr. sent the following statement to ABC 36:

“Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Dwyer, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Shane Barnes, SSgt. Tanner Grone, Sgt. Andrew Southard, and Sgt. Cade Wolfe were truly SOF professionals and are among the Nation’s finest Soldiers. Their loss has left an indelible void within this Regiment that will never be filled.

“These teammates demonstrated the highest level of dedication to the 160th SOAR and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier.  Our priority now is to ensure the Families of our fallen warriors receive our complete support as we work through this tragedy together. We ask that you keep Stephen, Shane, Tanner, Andrew, Cade, their Families, and fellow Night Stalkers in your thoughts and prayers.”

In March, nine Fort Campbell soldiers were also killed in a training mission at the base when two military helicopters crashed.

Here’s what we know about each solider

CWO 3 Stephen Dwyer

Dwyer served as a field artillery commissioned officer for six years before reverting to warrant officer and graduating from flight school in 2018. After several aviation assignments, Dwyer joined the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as an MH-60M pilot. He completed the regiment’s assessment and training program and became a basic mission-qualified pilot, mission planner and instructor pilot.

Dwyer deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and had several no-notice deployments and exercises worldwide while in the 160th SOAR.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Combat device, four Army Commendation Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Basic Army Aviator Badge, Parachute Badge and Air Assault Badge.

CWO 2 Shane Barnes

Barnes attended flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he completed training to become a UH-60L Blackhawk pilot. Following flight school, Barnes was assigned to a 2-2 assault helicopter battalion in Korea where he was a platoon leader and pilot in command. In 2015, following his tour in Korea, he was assessed for the 160th SOAR.

In 2020, he became a warrant officer.

While assigned to the 160th SOAR, Barnes was deployed to Afghanistan, multiple times to Iraq and several no-notice deployments worldwide.

Barnes’ awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device, Air Medal with Combat device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, the Senior Army Aviator Badge and Air Assault Badge.

SSgt. Tanner Grone

Grone enlisted in the Army in 2017 as 15T UH-60 BlackHawk repairer and was assigned to the 160th SOAR. While serving in the 160th SOAR, he deployed multiple times to Iraq, to Afghanistan and had several no-notice deployments worldwide.

He graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, the Basic Leaders Course, and Advanced Leaders Course.

Grone’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal with Combat device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with combat device, Army Achievement medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, and the Basic Aviation Badge.

Sgt. Andrew Southard

Southard enlisted in the Army in 2015 as a 15T UH-60 BlackHawk repairer. While assigned to the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Bridgae, he deployed to Afghanistan.

He graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, and the Basic Leaders Course.

Southard’s awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge.

A GoFundMe for Southard is linked here: Support for a Fallen Hero

Sgt. Cade Wolfe

Wolfe enlisted in the Army in 2018 as a 15T UH-60 BlackHawk repairer and was eventually assigned to the 160th SOAR as an MH-60M crew chief.

He graduated from the Enlisted Combat Skills, Combatives Level 1, MH-60 Maintainers Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School, MH-60 Non-Rated Crew Member Course, and the Basic Leaders Course.

Wolfe’s awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Basic Aviation Badge.